N5 Environmental Science

Environmental science is an interdisciplinary subject, which draws from the sciences and social sciences. In this Course, a practical, experiential and investigative approach is used to develop knowledge and understanding of environmental science concepts and scientific awareness of environmental issues. Environmental scientists are involved in tackling issues such as global climate change, pollution, use of land and water resources and changes in wildlife habitats.

No specific grade requirements.

There are 3 units within the course: -

Living Environment - Learners will investigate the key areas of sampling and identifying living things, from different habitats, to compare their diversity; factors influencing the distribution of living things; the process of photosynthesis and why plants are vital to sustaining life on Earth; the use of different types of chemicals in agriculture and their alternatives; and the potential impact of chemicals and their alternatives on the world’s food production.

Earth’s Resources - . Learners will investigate the key areas of renewable energy sources including benefits and potential problems; formation, characteristics and uses of minerals; formation, characteristics and uses of common rocks; formation, characteristics and uses of soils; and useful substances which can be extracted from natural resources.

Sustainability - Learners will investigate the key areas of processes which may contribute to climate change; the possible impact of atmospheric change on the survival of living things; and the causes and possible consequences of an environmental issue, and ways to manage the impact.

Assessment in Environmental Science is carried out internally through unit assessments which are marked either pass or fail be the teacher. These assessments can then be verified by the SQA.

Laboratory Technician, Conservationist, Farming, Environmental Scientist, Environmental Surveyor, Hydrologist, Teacher.